Welcome

Welcome to the POZ Community Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people with HIV/AIDS, their friends/family/caregivers, and
others concerned about HIV/AIDS. Click on the links below to browse our various forums; scroll down for a glance at the most recent posts; or join in the
conversation yourself by registering on the left side of this page.

Privacy Warning: Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If you are HIV positive
and disclose this in our forums, then it is almost the same thing as telling the whole world (or at least the World Wide Web). If this concerns you, then do not use a
username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.

The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own
physician.

All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.

Forums members must behave at all times with respect and honesty. Posting guidelines, including time-out and banning policies, have been established by the moderators
of these forums. Click here for “Am I Infected?” posting guidelines. Click here for posting guidelines pertaining to all other POZ community forums.

We ask all forums members to provide references for health/medical/scientific information they provide, when it is not a personal experience being discussed. Please
provide hyperlinks with full URLs or full citations of published works not available via the Internet. Additionally, all forums members must post information which are
true and correct to their knowledge.

I moved to California a year ago and my employer provides Kaiser out here, where I lived before I had BCBS, anyway my previous doctor was an HIV specialist she was excellent, took great care of me, explained every detail of my labs, made sure I was up to date with vaccines and made sure I was not in the dark about anything, but since moving to Kaiser the doctors seem to not care, my labs are emailed, no one ever goes over them with me, I have to advocate for myself to get flu shots, meningitis shots, etc..The major issue I have is they refuse to fill out FMLA paperwork as they deem it unethical and see my numbers as good. Unless you have HIV you really don't know what it's like to deal with it day to day, with side effects, fatigue, insomnia, etc. Also, I'm a flight attendant so it's very difficult to call in sick for just 1 day. Can anyone please give me advice?? I feel that no one is giving me a chance out here and am thisclose to moving back just so I can be treated by my previous doctor.

Sorry to hear you're having issues with your new doc. I would let them know that you want more doc/patient conversations, regarding labs, etc.

For the FMLA, I have never used it. I know many (even docs) view everything on paper. If your labs say you're "healthy," then you're "healthy." Some don't really listen to health complaints that contradict the labs. Have you discussed the health issues you have that is leading you to pursue FMLA? It sounds like there isn't much communication with your doc (not your fault) for your doc to even assess your current state of health. Does your new doc have your previous medical records?

Personally, I would think it is unethical for a doc to not listen to their patient. If a patient feels they need FMLA, I just don't see why a doc would refuse to help. If a patient came in requesting it with no previous or current health complaints, then I could understand. There are many issues such as fatigue, stress, anxiety, and depression that won't show up on a lab.

I know you can file a complaint against an employer not wanting to grant FMLA. I am not sure what can be done about a doc, who refuses to help. I suppose you could file a complaint against the doc, but it would seem you'd need to find a doc who will listen.

For those of us that have Kaiser, you know it's next to impossible to speak to a doctor, everything is done over email or through their call centers, they order labs and you will never see a doctor as long as the numbers are good, they simply email the results without an explanation. I have tried to explain why I need it, and have gone to see my family doctor several times over the last few months with GI issues, I was sick for 2 months straight. They have my previous medical history and have no problem giving a prescription for Ambien, which in my opinion is curious being that it's an addictive substance without examining me first. They simply state my numbers are good hence, I am controlled.

Bah! Kaiser drives me nuts. I can't really see any way of making them change their minds. Regardless of whether you change doctors, you're still within that network, system, and frame of thinking. I certainly have more than one horror story to tell with them -- one currently ongoing. My advice? SWITCH at open enrollment if possible. That's what we're doing.